"ABOVE & BEYOND" Supporters are those companies, organizations, groups, and individuals who have excelled at not only SAYING they support our Veterans, active military, and their Families, but have "stepped up" to SHOW it by "putting their $$ where their mouth is". We truly appreciate ALL our supporters and sincerely value EVERYONE who helps support the HTS mission of honoring and assisting our nation's heroes. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, is vital to the HTS Nation being "American People Supporting America's Warriors"! KEEP UP THE FIRE!!

IMPACT: SRE's impact has been and continues to be sustained, driven by their patriotic CEO, Jeannette King. Under her leadership, SRE has partnered with HTS on multiple efforts, from sending care packages to service members deployed to Afghanistan, to contributing significant financial resources, to networking with HTS and other Veteran-service organizations to help save Veterans and their Families from losing their homes. SRE, Inc. is a "prime-time player" when it comes to "stepping up and being there" for our Veterans and their Families! Check them out when you need Information Technology and Management Consulting services ... they'll take great care of you! :-)

About SRE: SRE, Inc. was founded in 2007 by Navy Veteran Jeannette King to provide Strategic IT and Management Consulting services to the federal government. Using International standards and industry best practices such as ISO, PMP®, ITIL®, and CMMI, SRE solves complex problems within the federal space and implements repeatable processes for our customers to use long after our work is finished. SRE’s focus on training and empowerment expands from employees to customers through our certified training programs in ITIL®, ISO, CISSP, and PMP®.

SRE is actively engaged in our community by supporting organizations that focus on Veterans and active duty military and their families. SRE's President & CEO is on the board of Final Salute, Inc. (www.finalsaluteinc.org) which provides housing to the more than 55,000 homeless female Veterans and is the presenting sponsor for Ms. Veteran America (msveteranamerica.org) two years in a row. In addition, SRE and Final Salute support USO Metro DC to provide Christmas presents to active duty service members' children and Soldiers Angels to provide care packages to service members who are deployed. Most recently SRE has engaged with ~HONOR THE SACRIFICE~ which supports both active duty service members and Veterans.

IMPACT: The team at Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 32 (BSM 32), in Hardin County, Ohio is a clear example of the importance of military Families and the real difference they can make in supporting their Warriors, along with other like-minded Americans who join their efforts. Led by their President, Kathy Wilson Vent Tracy, BSM 32 partnered with ~HONOR THE SACRIFICE~ to send love and support from home to our Warriors deployed to Afghanistan. BSM 32 coordinated with HTS President & CEO, Drew Deaton, who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013-2014, to send over 300 generously-stuffed care packages to be distributed to troops at smaller outposts where they didn't have access to many amenities. Drew saw first-hand the incredible positive impact of the BSM 32's patriotic support as he worked with other Warriors to deliver the packages to those troops at the outposts. Drew was truly honored and humbled to be a small part of the BSM 32's exceptional efforts. As with all things with HTS, it was truly a TEAM effort.

The Blue Star Flag was designed and patented in 1917.It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.The Blue Star Flag is an 8 by 16 inch white field with a blue star or stars sewn onto a red banner.Today, Blue Star Flags are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the Armed Forces, or a Veteran.The flag is displayed in the front window of a home showing a families pride in their loved one serving in the military.

Hardin County Chapter 32 History

The Willeke-Marling Chapter #OH 32 was chartered September 16, 1957 with 10 members from Ada, Ohio.That year they added 8 new members, making a total of eighteen members.The Hardin County Blue Star Mothers concentrated their efforts on hospital work; making bibs, lap robes and booties.To raise money for the Veterans at the Dayton Veterans Hospital they held garage sales, bake sales, Tupperware parties and silent auctions.At Christmas time, the mothers mailed Christmas cards with a $2 bill to the boys still overseas.

Many changes have taken place in our Chapter since 1957, and we've kept moving forward in our mission to support our troops, wherever they may be. We hold monthly meetings to determine how to best care for our troops and Veterans, support upcoming projects/events and things going on locally with Veterans and active service members.At our March 2013 meeting we were discussing care packages and how difficult it was to find a good, reliable contact to reach the Soldiers overseas.More specifically, the Soldiers we were looking for were the ones in the hard to reach outposts, the ones that did not have easy access to things they needed. After discussing several suggestions, I sent a message to ~HONOR THE SACRIFICE~ on their Facebook page, asking if they would be able to help with the specific things we were looking for.The very next day I received a reply from Drew Deaton, President and CEO of HTS and an active duty Soldier in the United States Army.He said, “You are in luck. I am currently deployed to Afghanistan and part of a Combined Joint Interagency Task Force and I would be honored to help in any way I can.Being a part of a 'joint' element, we have members from all military branches on our team and I would have access to the specific servicemen and women for whom you are looking.”The rest is history … we have been in contact with him ever since.He has been able to help us with a specific list of items needed and can distribute our care packages as we send them to him.Throughout the year we have sent 76 care packages, and our largest shipment so far just went out, 250 care packages for Christmas.

Along with sending care packages, we have participated in four local parades, attended Flag Day celebration at the Kenton Elks, and visited the Vietnam Traveling wall in Columbus, Ohio, distributing Thank You notes for the veterans as they came to see the wall.Every February we hold a “Luv-A-Vet Day” and visit Veterans at the local retirement centers, presenting them with a small goodie bag to show our appreciation for their service.This year we handed out 24 goodie bags to our Veterans.Each year we also visit the Dayton Veterans Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.We have made four trips so far this year, including one for Christmas.We donate good used clothing, books, magazines, puzzles and sundry items; such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, deodorant, soap etc.We also donate money for the Veterans Christmas party each year.

As things changed around the world, many young mothers become involved during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.Then when our country was attacked on September 11, 2001 the Blue Star Mothers grew in strength and numbers, showing their support and pride in the commitment of America’s youth.With present day technology it did not take long, and every state in the United States had formed active chapters of The Blue Star Mothers of America.Our organization of today is an updated version of the original Blue Star Mothers, but much stronger and continuing to be of service.However, our Constitution on Americanism remains the same:

“AMERICANISM IS AN UNFAILLING LOVE OF COUNTRY; LOYALTY TO ITS INSTITUTIONS AND IDEALS; EAGERNESS TO DEFEND IT AGAINST ALL ENEMIES; UNDIVIDED ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG; AND A DESIRE TO SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY FOR OURSELVES AND POSTERITY”

We, the mothers of members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, do unite to establish a permanent organization.Desiring to continue to be of service to our nation, we dedicate our time, and lives if necessary, to the perpetuation of democratic government, and are proud and honored that our sons and daughters have chosen to serve their country.